Philadelphia Eagles Notebook: Havili enjoying notoriety

PHILADELPHIA — While he’s far from a player looking to garner any headlines or sound bites, Stanley Havili seemed to be enjoying a little bit of rare notoriety in the NovaCare locker room Friday. And no wonder.

How often does a player who spent all of his rookie season on the practice squad accomplish rave reviews from the toughest of critics, his teammates?

“I had a couple of good blocks last game,” said Havili, a 24-year-old product of USC, “but I’ve got a long ways to go. I have a lot of improvement to do.”

Not in the eyes of fellow backfield member LeSean McCoy, who said Pro Bowl voters should immediately consider Havili, though, you know, they would do better to pick Havili and McCoy as a tandem.

Havili immediately laughed off McCoy’s lobbying effort, but not the spirit with which it was intended.

“Obviously, going from practice squad to starting fullback is a big jump,” Havili said. “I’m glad that guys recognize the hard work that I’ve put in; that means a lot.”

Havili has had shoulder problems since high school ball, and entered last season coming off shoulder surgery. He said his rookie season was hampered by it.

“I think I was kind of hesitant to hit with my shoulder and go out there and do it in games in the NFL,” he said. “But with the year under my belt, I felt very comfortable with this offense and in the huddle with the stars. I felt like I belonged, for once.”

As a result, he began to show his comfort on the field in training camp, and eventually won the starting job.

“He’s worked very hard in the offseason and put himself in a position to be a starting fullback in the NFL,” Andy Reid said of this man Stan. “When he first came here, he wasn’t as strong, not quite as big. He was more of a utility back in college where he did a little blocking but not much; and he did a lot of catching and running. He still maintains those skills, but he’s added into it being a solid blocker and good special teams player.”

Eagles cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha seemed to feel he was in a position of defense when a late media scrum hit him Friday afternoon. Asked about the way teams seem to be throwing his way more often these days, Asomugha said, “If a guy makes a catch, it’s not because I wasn’t playing hard. I’ve never proclaimed perfection on the field or anything like that.”

“My whole motto,” he added, “has been playing hard. Like, being focused on every snap. If a (receiver) gets one, he’s earned it.”

Praise from all corners of NovaCare was heard about the Steelers Friday, beginning with Quarterback Corner.

“They carry out a tradition that’s been ongoing for a long time and they believe in that,” Michael Vick said. “You have to have the right mindset to go in there and to win. You have to have a great group of guys who believe in themselves, first and foremost, if you want to win. It’s just the way they play. They have great players, starting with a great quarterback, and a defense to compliment that, which makes it a recipe for a tough game anytime.”

As for playing in tough Heinz Field, Asomugha added, “Whether they’re 0-10 or 10-0, the approach is the same. It’s a tough place to play. It’ll be a physical game, a tough game, a fast game. There can be an intimidation factor if you never played there before. The (Terrible) Towels start going and everything.”

NOTES: Reid said linebacker Akeem Jordan is out with a hamstring pull. He’s the only Eagle that didn’t practice in full Friday. Safety Colt Anderson (collarbone), tackle King Dunlap (hamstring) and defensive tackle Derek Landri (knee) are all questionable, but Reid seems optimistic they can play. Also, expect receiver Riley Cooper and lineman Danny Watkins to be able to go. Cooper may be limited if he plays, though. Top-notch Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall (calf) will be making his season debut against the Eagles, as will linebacker James Harrison (knee). Troy Polamalu will be returning after missing two games with a calf injury.